Want to know Gum Trees? Part 2

So my first tip to identifying gums was to become familiar with an area. Walk and look at the trees until you can see which ones are similar. Before too long it won't look like a wall of green anymore.

So my next tip is to keep looking and walking and becoming familiar but now pay attention to the bark. The bark is a key identifying tip, especially when it comes to gum trees. I'll talk more about gum trees soon but for now start to notice the bark. I've added some photos below of what types of bark you may come across, particularly in the bush of Brisbane and surrounds. Again I wouldn't worry about taking out your ID book or trying to name any of the trees. I'd just look at the bark.

Smooth Bark

 

 

Iron Bark

 

 

Stringy Bark

 

 

Box Bark

 

 

Bloodwood Bark

 

 

Here I have introduced five bark types. Smooth, Iron, Stringy, Box and Bloodwood. See how each of the bark types are rather unique? Looking at the bark type is a key identifying feature, which can help you narrow down what type of tree you are looking at.

 

Now next time you go for a walk, have a feel of the bark on the trees. Does it come off in strings or flakes? Is it smooth or rough and difficult to pull off? The other thing to look for, is if the bark is rough or smooth over the whole tree or only some of the tree. Perhaps there is rough bark only at the base and it's smooth further up the trunk. The photo below is what a half bark might look like. Rough at the bottom but smooth further up the trunk. So take a few days and look at the bark of trees.

 

 



Half Bark